By Steve Svetovich
Scintillating was the word for Dunmore’s Domenic DeSando.
The 6-foot, 165-pound Dunmore senior stalwart scored a touchdown on a 49-yard punt return, rushed 15 times for 90 yards and another score and caught four passes for 63 yards leading the Bucks to a 35-12 opening night win over Old Forge at Gatto Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium Friday, August 25.
“Dom DeSando played extremely well and made some explosive plays for us,” Dunmore football coach Kevin McHale said. “He is a great leader for us.
“It was a nice win to start our season. We did a lot of good things, but need to correct some mistakes.”
Dunmore totaled 379 yards offense in the opening night win.
DeSando grabbed a punt with four and a half minutes left in the first quarter, started to the right side, was spun around by a face mask and then reversed to the left sideline, breaking several tackles and hurdling opponents around the 20 before scoring the game’s first touchdown.
The extra point kick by Eric Reesey gave Dunmore a 7-0 lead.
With 11:25 left in the second quarter, the shifty DeSando took a pitch out and scampered 31 yards for another touchdown. Reesey booted the extra point and Dunmore had a 14-0 lead.
The Dunmore strong defense shined when senior star linebacker Nick Donvito raced to the pigskin after a shotgun formation snap hit Old Forge’s man in motion. Donvito, the leader of the Dunmore defense, snagged the football and raced 19 yards for another Dunmore touchdown. Reesey’s extra point kick gave Dunmore a 21-0 lead.
“We preach squat, scoop and score,” Donvito said. “I’ve been working with Tommy Drewes on ripping the ball, forcing a fumble and scoring in the end zone. That was my mind set when I saw the ball.
“I’m obviously happy with the win, but our team needs to play a lot better.
“I was really happy with the way our defense played. We played with energy which resulted in many big plays.”
The tough Dunmore defense limited the Blue Devils to only 24 yards total offense.
Old Forge scored its first touchdown when Joe Granko stripped Dunmore senior quarterback Tommy Bowen, grabbed the ball mid air, and sauntered into the end zone for.a 45-yard recovery. Dunmore’s Zavier Burke blocked the first of two Old Forge extra point kicks and the Bucks held a 21-6 lead.
The Bucks marched 69 yards on a final first half drive with Bowen firing a 21-yard touchdown strike to senior Danny Pigga. Reesey booted the extra point and Dunmore had a 28-6 lead with 28 seconds left in the first half.
A second half 14-play, 55-yard drive ended with a Bowen one-yard plunge into the end zone for Dunmore. Reesey’s fifth PAT gave the Bucks a commanding, 35-6 lead.
The Blue Devils final score came on T.J. DiMattia’s two-yard quarterback keeper after a bad snap in punt formation on Dunmore’s end. Old Forge missed on the extra point attempt on another Dunmore block.
Despite the lopsided win, Dunmore committed 10 penalties in the contest.
Bowen completed 8-of-16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown in the Dunmore win.
Pigga rushed five times for 46 yards and caught two passes for 36 yards and a touchdown.
Dunmore senior back Jake Hickey helped the Bucks ball control offense with 76 yards on 12 carries.
UPDATE: Dunmore lost in its second game of the season, 34-7, to Mount Carmel at home, Friday, Sept. 1.